Five Things Music Can Teach Us About Lighting

In 1986 I walked into the photo department at The Gainesville (FL) Sun for the first time. I was 21, and it was like walking into heaven.

Several well-respected photogs worked there. There was pool glass available for borrowing. There were huge photos on the wall. And there was a nice stereo with a pair of high-end (to me) speakers on top of the bookshelf.

Looking back, I think they were Bose 301's. But I was impressed back then.

They said that they paid for the stereo by pooling the money they received for transmitting AP specials and enterprise art over the wire. It was the first time the connection between music and photography ever hit me.

Ever since, I have made an effort to install some sort of music into the photo departments where I worked -- stereo in the darkroom at Patuxent, amplified speakers in the studio at The Sun and now, multi-source music on demand in The Cave.

Music and photography share a lot of concepts. And even more specific, there is actually a lot of crossover between music and light. Read more »

Your Daily Word's New Look

Oh Yes!

Let me formally welcome you to Your Daily Word's New Look! (To my email subscribers, please click here to see it.)

I'm just glad and happy that I have finally pushed through with it. It was kind of difficult coz there were already a lot of widgets i have added and I don't know which ones to keep and to take out or better way of saying it I don't know how to add them back. Whew! Oh well, there you go!

Just one last thing, I need all my blog list. I lost it. So if have you linked back to me, I'd link back to you.

Send me an email or leave a comment.

God Bless!

peace out

originally uploaded by hui+.

Travel, Light

UPDATE: Corrects backpack, adds links to backpack and duffel.
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I have logged a lot of air miles over the last few years, and am getting ready to pile on a few more en route to Dubai this week.

On of the biggest advantages of being speedlight-based is being able to avoid the excess-baggage mafia. Given that I usually travel with computer, camera gear, lighting gear (including stands, etc.) in addition to the typical clothing stuff, I thought I would do a quick post on what and how I pack. Read more »

objet trouve´

I'm the first to tell you how much I love an Air-mezz scarf {or "Her-meez, if your my friend's ex mother-in-law} wrapped 'round a head, waist, wrist or whatever you choose to bound in beautifully printed french silk. But these Philippe Roucou scarves, printed with Polaroid prints, are just as beautiful while lending a bit of Indie Geek Chic to a look. And at $400+ a pop, these limited edition pieces will give you, status snobs, a nice smug-hug. *here*

johnny be good

Photographer, Johnny Miller's work, makes me want to crawl into each one of his shots and call it home.

I dug a little further into his site, and found these photos of letters between his parents when they were first dating.

Besides being so charming in content and beautifully shot, It turns out I actually have something in common with this Brooklyn based, Johnny Miller.

He grew up in the small town of Lawrence, Kansas where I went to college. To some of you this is a 'who cares' and Larry what?

but when living in L.A., unless you're a college sports fan, nobody it seems, knows what or where K.U. is.

So, whenever we find a fellow Jayhawker, we get a bit too excited. In the mean time, how about that chippendale chair with the aubergine fabric mixed with the brass Arco-esque lamp.....add a bit of olive and celedon green? yum.

Johnny Miller Photography

Tent Pole Light Stands: More Details

Due to popular demand, Swedish photographer Peter Karlsson has created a more explanatory video on his tent pole light stand. They run about 1 lb. each, and pack very small and flat. They can be a good option for traveling interior/portrait shooters.

Got questions? Peter is answering them in the comments section of his blog post. Oh, and take a moment to look at his portfolio, too. It is all speedlight-driven.

Of his diminutive lights, Peter says, "clients sometimes look a little puzzled about their tinyness," but hey, it gets the job done.

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chocolate editions:: eat me, art

I don't know whether i want to lick these, hold them to my face and deeply inhale or just lay my cheek on them. So pretty and smooth and beautifully designed. Inspired by pop art, these chocolate editions, chocolate bars come in a variety of flavor-flays which include, tangerine, caramel, Neapolitan as well as the basics.

who needs great packaging when the product reels you in, as is- naked as a jay bird.
and check out their awesome blog while you're at it

This Week on the Skirted Round Table:: Jackie Von Tobel & a great giveaway

Whether you follow her blog, "Jackie Blue", read her myriad {and growing} books, used her fabric line or have had the good fortune to listen to this inspirational designer speak with passion about her career and where she's headed, this is a SRT you'll want to hear. Jackie tireless check list of accomplishments will leave you feeling somewhere between inspired and like a total slacker.

As a bonosity, Jackie will be giving away one of EACH of her fantastically, informative books.

** this just in:: SRT listeners Jackie and her partner will be hosting a free webinar on her Software System. If you'd like to hear about it, check it out here: http://jackiebluehome.blogspot.com/2010/02/free-30-minute-webinar-jvt-designs-at.html

Coming up for air

didn't check my email for four days. am be-frazzled. Be back after this calming image, via lost.net

Shoot the Bloggers: Gus Sentementes

Local tech blogger Gus Sentementes popped down to The Cave for a headshot recently. And that was a good excuse to play with some atypical (for me, anyway) light.

Keep reading for some thoughts on working with differently shaped faces -- and taking the final display size into account, too. Read more »

MPEX Now Outsourcing Business Decisions...

Here's an idea that Moishe has been kicking around with me for the last couple of weeks: Midwest is letting readers vote on which items will go on sale the following week.

So far, everything is small flash/lighting related and they plan to rotate it each Monday. This week, the Lumiquest SB-III has jumped out to an early lead.

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peace out

A token., originally uploaded by Charlotte Rutherford.

I've been up in the mountains most of the week. Loving all of your emails re. the, Go Green Lunch Box give away ~ my girls will be thankful, as their lunch repertoire has just been given an upgrade. Happy weekend. You made it.

It's Time for the PC Jack to Die.

As a lighting photographer, I have long been grateful for the fact that Nikon has included an external Prontor/Compur (PC) jack on most of their speedlights. But while I love the synching ability, I hate the connector.

Nothing against Nikon -- they are among the good guys when it comes to synching flashes. Fact is, I also hate the PC jack on the camera itself.

There is simply no reason to continue the use of a proprietary connection for such a simple circuit. There is a better way, which will not only save photographers -- and manufacturers -- money but add a valuable capability to hybrid still/video DSLRs. Read more »

Go Green Lunch Box!

Did you know that, on average, every child who brings their lunch to school creates and estimated 67 pounds of lunch packaging trash a year? yuck. It makes me want to lose my own lunch a little, thinking of all of those little zip lock baggies and juice boxes being tossed into a landfill 'till the end of time.

Or maybe you too watched "Food Inc" or "Super Size Me", and swore if you could do one thing a day for your child's health, it would be to nourish them.... with actual food.

Go Green Lunch Box are a product developed by an eco conscience, mother of 2 with a great eye for style. Locally, these lunch boxes are seen on just about every kid going to and from school. They've become a total must have, hit in Manhattan Beach.

"Far Away" Music Video | Lecrae | (Haiti Relief)

Truly God is never far away!

Help raise awareness and money for relief work in Haiti. Buy this single on iTunes or buy the video here.

Donations go to helping rebuild the church in Haiti through Churches Helping Churches.

Produced by Desiring God in partnership with ReachLife, Lampmode, and Reach Records.

John Gillon ebay find

Great, John Gillon, Jacaranda wood chair and ottoman on ebay...

Romanian born, John Gillon was a Brazilian furniture maker in the 50s and 60s with a background in Fine Arts and a degree in Architecture. Perhaps, best known for his work in local Brazilian hardwoods. This use of organic materials used in a highly engineered design style, takes furniture to fine art level.

This chair reminds me of the bridges designed by Santiago Caltrava:

Puente del Alimillo made for the expo '92 in Seville.

I had no idea that all of the Jacaranda trees that are coming into bloom this time of year all over L.A. with their sticky, but beautiful purple blooms, were a beautiful hardwood

After the Light: High-Pass Post Production

Let's get one thing straight first: I am no Photoshop wizard. I learned at the paper to use it sparingly, and my goal is always to do most of my work in-camera.

But a lot of people have asked about some of my post techniques, so I wanted to share one of my favorites. It's quick, easy and adds a cool, controllable look to your photos. And it mixes especially well with photos that have been lit. Read more »

peace out

“People ignore the ugly things in life but within this they are missing the beauty that lies under the rotten fruit.”

—	Alexander McQueen

This Week on the Skirted Round Table:: Give Away madness!

This week Joni, Linda and I chat about give aways on blogs. As bloggers, is it worth it? Does it bring more traffic, or is it just a huge pain. Are you a shop owner or manufacturer? How does it help you?

Recently some incredible giveaways have been offered:

Brooke's beautiful Brickmaker's Table giveaway {Velvet and Linen} Joni's French Market basket:

{which garnered nearly a thousand comments/entries} When all goes cleanly, it can be a real win-win- for the blogger, the manufacturer and the winner. What are your thoughts on all of this? How about discounts? Do they really get used? I have some definite thoughts on this subject.

As an added bonus, we have our own giveaway. Jill Mitchell, who lives in Provence and hosts vintage and antique buying tours {if you want a dream job, build it} and has both and etsy and ebay shop filled with gorgeous French items, has generously donated this great looking vintage French Educational Poster to a lucky winner!

**check out Jill's website and blog aptly called, Le Trip.

Come have a listen:: The Skirted Round Table

Finnishing Touches

UPDATE: Sweet! Click thru to the full post w/comments, where Anssi Saviluoto has detailed how he shot the video with a POINT AND SHOOT and did the post production for the cool effects. Awesome -- thanks, Anssi!
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Meetups are lots of fun, and one of the best ways to meet other local Strobist readers and lighting enthusiasts. Get that many creative people into a room, and a video is likely to happen, too.

A boy and his guns, cool (legal) music and some bad-ass post make the video embeded above stand out from the pack. It's from the Lappeenranta (Finland) Strobist Meetup Group.

Heck, I'm ready to pack my bags and head to Finland for the next one -- if only because they probably have less snow than we do right now. Looks like they are having lots of fun, and I am seriously digging that post work.

Oh, and the soundtrack could hardly be more appropriate: "Plastic & Flashing Lights," by the band, Professor Kliq. You can download it here.
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Want to find -- or start -- a local meetup? Hit the drop-down menu on the sidebar for more info. (RSS/email readers will have to click thru to the main site for drop-down menus.)

It won't be long....

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This one's for my friends in the snow: sending you some visual heat and summer vibes. For the best effect, pull out your favorite sunscreen, pop off the lid, and inhale deeply .....

focus finder

Let's explode

allisa the lenz

Cebu Blogger's Society celebrates 2nd Year Anniversary

I'm not really an active member but I'd still love to celebrate this great time with bloggers like me! I wish the society more success, more connections, more authority, louder voice and more influence to the community! May the society continually live up to the vision and be relevant to the society around it.

Happy Anniversary and God Bless Cebu Bloggers!

In two years, blogging in Cebu has ripened from just being a mere online diary to something that takes an active role in civic and social awareness.

One of the factors that contributed to this positive development in the blogging scene in Cebu is the creation of a local blogging community.

The Cebu Bloggers Society was founded on February 14, 2008, with the main goal of uniting Cebu-based bloggers into a well-bonded community. And indeed, after its creation, individuals with diverse backgrounds but with a common interest, which is to promote Cebu and advocate blogging as a key tool for progress, converged together to establish Cebu’s first and largest blogging community.

The Cebu Bloggers Society has really grown and evolved quite significantly. From its humble beginnings, the group presently has at least 80 members and the number is still bound to increase further.

And now, the group is already anticipating its 2nd founding anniversary! Dubbed as “CBS @ 2: The Cebu Bloggers Society 2nd Anniversary Celebration”, the event is envisioned to further strengthen the bond of friendship and camaraderie within the blogging community.

The anniversary celebration will be held on Sunday, February 14, 2010, 5-9PM, at the Celebration Hall of SM Storyland, Lower Ground Floor, SM City Cebu.

This big and important event won’t be possible without the help and assistance of the following:

 

Batang Yagit
Jehzlau Concepts